Year 11 Get to the Heart of the Matter

Year 11 SEHS (Sports and Exercise Science) class was lucky enough to have a full practical lesson which we spent dissecting sheep’s hearts. In groups of three to four, the girls were presented with one heart per group and a range of tools such as surgical scissors, scalpels and forceps to use. Before beginning the dissection, we examined the external structure of the heart, observing features like the pericardium, myocardium, veins and arteries. 

Following this, the girls began their dissection to explore the internal anatomy of the heart. We followed a set of instructions set by teachers to ensure the dissection was as methodical and efficient as possible. These instructions guided us to expertly explore features of the heart such as the four chambers, the significant arteries and veins and valves. We observed characteristics such as the varying thickness of different muscular walls, the varying thickness of veins/arteries, location and purpose of valves, networks of muscle cords to enhance our knowledge of how the heart functions and how the organ’s structure supports its function. Through this activity, we were able to understand the mechanics of the heart’s pulmonary and systemic circuits. The dissected organ displayed the path and vessels that blood flows through to supply the body with oxygen, and therefore energy. After completing the practical section of our learning, we answered a number of questions to further solidify our understanding of the heart’s functioning. 

Angela Trang and Gloria Lim (Year 11)